3M blue masking tape ?

rjkplasticmod

The 3M Blue Painters tape comes in different flavors, so be sure you get the low tac version.  I' keep a roll handy, but It's not nearly as good as the Tamiya tape for masking.  Tamiya is designed for modelling & is very thin & flexible compared to the 3M Blue.  The 3M blue is harder to cut & will leave not only a sharp line but also a raised edge along the line unless you are very careful in spraying.  If doing straight edges, I usually mask the edge with a strip of Tamiya & then backfill with the 3M to avoid unwanted overspray.  I've never had it pull up paint, but I only use enamels over a lacquer base primer.  Not sure how it would do with acrylics, especially on an un-primed surface.

Regards,  Rick

I agree with Rick.  Not as good as Tamiya. I have stopped using 3M, now use Tamiya except for particular cases where I use Testors (not widely available). I find the Testors more expensive than Tamiya, but they make it in 1/16 inch wide- narrower than Tamiya but nice for outlining curves which I then fill with the Tamiya.

I scored a few roles of that clearance tape at Sherwin Williams the other day after seeing Hawkeye's notice about it. Have already used it, and yes, it is the same as Tamiya tape but at a fraction of the cost. There was still plenty on the shelf too. They did not have the clearance price on the shelf at my store but it rang up 1/2 off at the register. At that price it is probably cheaper than even the 3M blue stuff, which is what I have used before. I will keep the Tamiya tape around for the convenience factor as it is already cut in small strips, but it's nice to be able to mask large areas with that painter's tape and not worry about the expense.

I have used the blue in the past and had bad luck with it - I kept having bleeding issues where my paint would seep underneath it. I use frog tape now and haven't had any issues. I do not use acrylics so I cant comment on if it pulls it up or not. I also use a product by Avery called paint mask that works very well. I have a 54" printer and plotter so i use the avery paint mask sometimes for patterns. 

Didn't know they were discontinuing it...time to head over there to stock up on a few rolls.

batai37

Don't think it's exactly the same product, but I use the purple roll...seems less tacky. If you want functional, way cheaper equivalent to Tamiya tape try Shurtape that's available at any Sherwin Williams.

Go back to that Sherwin-Williams and look at their Shurtape Razor Edge Gold tape.   While some have problems with it because it doesn't come with a model manufacturer's logo , I have found that it works the same as Tamiya's yellow modeling tape.   Sherwin-Williams is discontinuing the Shurtape Razor Edge Gold tape so it is on clearance sale.  My local SW store  is selling it for 3/4/5 dollars for 1.0/1.5/2.0 inch wide tape by 60 yards long.    At that price its less than the 3M tapes at the local hardware store.

Sherwin Williams is replacing the Shurtape with Frog Tape Gold.   It too is similar to the Tamiya tape (but costs mroe than the stuff which is on sale).    Frog Tape Gold will also be less expensive than Tamiya (cost per unit)

I get much sharper lines with Tamiya.  It seems to lay down tighter and stays there.   Also, it is thinner so the fillet (paint buildup at line) doesn't seem as bad.  I do as the other fellows suggested...use Tamiya for the actual line and back up the mask with the painters tape.

Static

Don't think it's exactly the same product, but I use the purple roll...seems less tacky. If you want functional, way cheaper equivalent to Tamiya tape try Shurtape that's available at any Sherwin Williams.

to what Rick said. Also, it does pull up acrylics on un-primed surfaces unless you run a NEW #11 blade around the edges. Just had it happen. I ran the knife around the edges (just in case) but missed a spot near the tailwheel. When taking the tape off, a section of the paint came with it.

Jim

The 3M Blue Painters tape comes in different flavors, so be sure you get the low tac version.  I' keep a roll handy, but It's not nearly as good as the Tamiya tape for masking.  Tamiya is designed for modelling & is very thin & flexible compared to the 3M Blue.  The 3M blue is harder to cut & will leave not only a sharp line but also a raised edge along the line unless you are very careful in spraying.  If doing straight edges, I usually mask the edge with a strip of Tamiya & then backfill with the 3M to avoid unwanted overspray.  I've never had it pull up paint, but I only use enamels over a lacquer base primer.  Not sure how it would do with acrylics, especially on an un-primed surface.

Regards,  Rick